Millions in SPER fines written off as ‘uncollectable’

TAXPAYERS have missed out on millions of dollars of debt owed to the State, with some of it uncollectable because the debtor died or an offending company was wound up.

A Sunday-Mail analysis of State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) financials reveals more than $302 million worth of the $1.195 billion owed to it through unpaid fines and toll charges was "finalised" in 2016-17, the Courier Mail reports.

But only $283.4 million was actually collected.

The State Government has pointed to debts owed by people who have since died, debts worked off through non-monetary means and withdrawn fines as some of the reasons for the $18 million difference.